U.S. Attorney's Office Secures Sentencing for Assault Case Against Jemez Pueblo Police Officer

ALBUQUERQUE – A Jemez Pueblo man was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison for a violent confrontation with a police officer that escalated from a call for help to an assault on law enforcement.

There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court documents, on May 29, 2023, a police officer with the Jemez Pueblo Police Department received a report from his sister about an individual in a nearby arroyo who was grunting and screaming for help. Upon investigation, the officer encountered Dylon Scott Sandia, 32, an enrolled member of the Jemez Pueblo, speaking with his sister. When Sandia took an aggressive posture towards the officer’s sister, he intervened and instructed Sandia to go inside. Instead, Sandia became increasingly hostile, yelling slurs at the officer and attempting to headbutt him before physically pushing him.

After being pushed, the officer attempted to detain Sandia. However, Sandia violently resisted, pulling the officer to the ground where he struck him in the stomach and chest while trying to access items from the officer’s duty belt, including his firearm.

In response to the escalating violence, the officer was forced to use pepper spray and a baton to subdue Sandia. He ultimately managed to break free from Sandia’s grip and handcuff him.

Upon his release from prison, Sandia will be subject to three years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.

The FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with the assistance of the Jemez Pueblo Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Meg Tomlinson is prosecuting the case.

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